Conductor Daniel Parkinson, of Kelsall, has joined forces with students from the Royal Northern College of Music's School of Strings and pianist David Schofield to release a charity single.
The new version of the famous Londonderry Air, or Danny Boy, as it’s more commonly known, will be released through all major online stores on Monday, May 19, with proceeds going towards Your RNCM, the college’s £3m campaign to transform its 40-year-old concert hall into a state-of-the-art venue.
Recorded at the Manchester-based college earlier this month, the single was arranged for piano and strings by RNCM alumnus and pianist Stephen Hough, with original orchestration by Ross Clarke.
Daniel, who is currently studying for a master of music (MMus) in solo performance (conducting), said: “The refurbished concert hall will provide a platform for artistic excellence at the RNCM.
“This campaign single came about thanks to the RNCM's policy of encouraging and supporting students' creativity as well as its ability to think out of the box.
“It has been a pleasure bringing together such a talented group of people to produce the track and I hope that it is successful in creating awareness and raising money for such a vital campaign.”
Your RNCM officially launched in October last year and has received support from scientist and TV presenter Professor Brian Cox, BBC 6 Music presenter Stuart Maconie, Classic FM’s John Suchet and international pianist Lang Lang.
The RNCM Concert Hall opened in 1973 and closed to the public in January this year. It will officially reopen as a state-of-the-art performance venue later this year.
